Right Age to See an Orthodontist for Kids?

Factors that Affect the Best Time for an Orthodontic Visit

Genetics

If there is a history of orthodontic problems in your family, note that the AAO’s consumer FAQ says “Most orthodontic problems are inherited.” Therefore, you may want to take your child to see an orthodontist for kids during their early years. Problems can be inherited or acquired, and what causes orthodontic problems in children describes both kinds.

Early Misalignment Issues

If you notice that your child’s teeth are starting to come in crooked or they have an overbite, then you should pay your first visit to the orthodontist as soon as possible. For upper front teeth that protrude past the lower ones, see front teeth that stick out.

Treatment that intercepts a developing problem is called interceptive orthodontics, the subject of early treatment and phase one. It’s important to spot problems early: with growth checked periodically, the AAO says, treatment “can be timed to take advantage of predictable stages of growth,” and waiting until all the permanent teeth are in “could make correction of some orthodontic problems more difficult.” For example, the AAO says that if a child’s upper jaw is too narrow for the permanent teeth to come in, treatment “could consist of a palate expander to widen the jaw.” Crowding in the baby teeth is a separate question, which crowded or spaced baby teeth takes up.

History of Thumb-Sucking

If your child has a history of thumb-sucking, then this can also cause orthodontic problems. Thumb-sucking puts pressure on the teeth and jaw, which can cause misalignment issues. If your child is still sucking their thumb, we may recommend using a thumb guard to help break the habit. The age at which a sucking habit becomes a concern, in the AAO’s words, is the focus of thumb sucking, pacifiers and the bite.

If the damage has already happened, then we may need to use orthodontic appliances to help correct the problem. When a child starts treatment, if at all, depends on the kind of problem and how far the child’s teeth have developed, the AAO says, not on a set age. Losing baby teeth too early is one more reason for a check, as baby teeth lost early describes.

Previous Trauma to the Mouth

If your child has experienced any trauma to the mouth, such as from a fall or accident, then this could also cause orthodontic problems. For heavy bleeding, difficulty breathing or swallowing, a suspected broken jaw or a permanent tooth knocked out, the AAO says to “Seek emergency care immediately,” and our emergency information page covers injuries to the mouth or face. Afterward, an orthodontist can assess any damage and discuss treatment with you.

Pain in the Jaw and Head When Chewing

If your child is experiencing pain in their jaw or head when chewing, then this could also be a sign of an orthodontic problem. The AAO says painful chewing may indicate an orthodontic problem, and that a lower jaw which shifts because of a bite problem can lead to jaw pain. A child who chews with the side teeth because the front ones do not meet may need a look too, as biting with the side teeth explains.

What Age Do Kids First See an Orthodontist?

The AAO’s answer, in an FAQ entry posted in October 2026, is a first check-up no later than age 7; beyond that, there is no one-size-fits-all answer to when treatment, if any, should start. The best thing you can do is to be aware of the factors that can affect your child’s orthodontic needs and to watch for any signs or symptoms of problems. One of those signs is lips that stay apart over the teeth, discussed in a mouth that does not close fully. If you are hoping crooked teeth will sort themselves out, read will crooked teeth straighten on their own first.